Eddie Rosario’s Grand Slam Stuns Diamondbacks, Gives Braves Victory
PHOENIX, June 4 — The rubber match between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves was just as exciting as the first two games. On Sunday afternoon at Chase Field with the roof closed and announced crowd of 32,401 fans; an Eddie Rosario grand slam in the top of the ninth gave Atlanta a hard fought 8-5 and a road series win.
Braves Get Hits Early
After a fly out by Ronald Acuna Jr. to lead off the game, Matt Olson singled on a sharp line drive to right field. Austin Riley also singled on a sharp line drive to right field and moved Olson to third. Gallen got both Travis d’Arnaud and Eddie Rosario to strike out swinging to end the Braves threat. The Diamondbacks after two quick outs from Pavin Smith and Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll walked but Christian Walker strikes out swinging.
Top of Second
In the top of the second Ozzie Albies singled on a line drive to left field. Then he stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Jose Herrera. After a walk to Marcell Ozuna, Orlando Arcia grounded into a double play and Albies scored. Michael Harris II struck out swinging to end the inning.
After a ground out from Emmanuel Rivera, Josh Rojas walked, Jake McCarthy grounded into a force out, and Rojas was out at second. After a wild pitch moved McCarthy to second, Geraldo Perdomo doubled on a bloop line drive just over the head of Riley at third and McCarthy scored. Herrera grounded out to end the inning. Braves 1, Diamondbacks 1.
Diamondbacks Take the Lead
After a quick three up-three down top of the third for Atlanta, the Diamondbacks grabbed the lead. After Smith and Marte were out, Rookie of the Year candidate Corbin Carroll hit a home run to left-center field. The ball traveled 401 ft and had an exit velocity of 107.1 mph. After singles by Walker and Herrera, Rojas singled on a ground ball to right and Walker scored. McCarthy grounded out to end the inning. Diamondbacks 3, Braves 1.
Braves Immediately Tie the Game
Travis d’Arnaud singled to start the top of the fourth. After a fly out from Rosario, Albies hit a two-run home run to right field. That ball traveled 400 ft and had an exit velocity of 105.2 mph. Ozuna hit one of the longest singles, as it traveled 415 ft before hit the railing and bouncing back into right-center field. Back to back ground outs ended the inning. Diamondbacks 3, Braves 3.
Diamondbacks Take the Lead Back
In the bottom of the fourth Arizona took the lead back. After two quick outs, Smith walked Marte hit a two-run home run. The ball traveled 391 ft and had an exit velocity of 107.3 mph. After Carroll doubled and a walk to Walker, Braves Manager Brian Snitker replaced Soroka with Collin McHugh. Rivera struck out to end the inning. Soroka’s pitching numbers were 3 2/3 innings, five runs, seven hits, four walks, and two home runs on 80 pitches. Diamondbacks 5, Braves 3.
Braves Top Pitching Prospect
After no scoring from either team in the fifth inning, the Braves made a pitching change for the bottom of the sixth. AJ Smith-Shawver made his MLB debut. He is the Braves overall number four ranked and top pitching prospect according to mlb.com. The first batter he faced was Pavin Smith who hit a deep fly to left-center. He completed the inning three up-and three-down.
Diamondbacks Change Pitchers
After six innings, 110 pitches, two earned runs, nine hits, and one home run, the Diamondbacks replaced Zac Gallen with left hander Andrew Chafin. Chafin gave up a base hit to Acuña, who stole second and scored the Braves fourth run on a single by Olson. After a mound visit by pitching coach Brent Strom, Chafin was able to get Riley to strikeout. A walk to d’Arnaud brought up Rosario, who flied out to end the inning. Diamondbacks 5, Braves 4.
Scott McGough/Miguel Castro
The Diamondbacks replaced Chafin with Scott McGough. He got back-to-back groundouts before getting Arcia to strikeout swinging. After the Diamondbacks failed to score in the bottom of the eighth, Miguel Castro came in to work on getting his seventh save. He walked Harris, who took third on an Acuña single before Acuña stole second.
Castro got Olson to strikeout for the first out and Riley was intentionally walked to try and set up the double play. d’Arnaud hit a blooper that was caught by Perdomo for the second out. Eddie Rosario hit the very next pitch for a grand slam to put the Braves up 8-5.
Austin Adams replaced Castro. He gave up a single to Albies but got Murphy to pop out to end the frame. Atlanta 8 Arizona 5.
Braves Close it out
Raisel Iglesias came in to close out the game and walked Marte, but Carroll grounded into a double play. Christian Walker was the final hitter, and Iglesias got him to ground to third to end the game. Braves 8, Diamondbacks 5, Final.
Braves Notes
The Braves will next play the Diamondbacks after the All-Star Break, when the Diamondbacks come to Atlanta for three games on July 17–19. … The home run by Albies was the first home run given up by Gallen in 258 batters. … Max Fried and Dylan Lee have started throwing as they work toward returning. Fried has been out since May 6 with forearm tightness, and Lee has been sidelined since May 19 with shoulder inflammation. … Since moving to leadoff, Acuña is hitting .491 (28-for-57). … Eddie Rosario’s grand slam was the fifth of his career.
More coverage (Diamondbacks focus) from Evan M. Thompson.
Looking Ahead
Both teams have an off day on Monday. Then the Diamondbacks travel to D.C. to open a three-game series with the Washington Nationals. The Braves will come home and host the New York Mets for an important three-game series.
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